Ch 28: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The delicate white porcelain bowls and plates were adorned with simple brush strokes of green mountains, perfectly balanced between light and dark, creating a delightful scene for the eyes.

The demon god lowered his head, staring at the large bowl of wild vegetable porridge in front of him, which was accompanied by a small plate of side dishes.

There were two kinds of side dishes: garlic sprouts cut into finger-length pieces and small chunks of pickled cucumbers, emitting a refreshing, slightly sour aroma.

Next to the side dishes sat two thin, stuffed pancakes, their rich aroma rising with the steam.

To his left, there were two covered porcelain bowls, one large and one small.

The demon god ignored the two bowls for now and picked up a piece of garlic sprout. He had selected the green section near the stem, a vibrant green with a hint of red at the tip, resembling the tender leaves of a peach tree in early spring.

The texture was crisp, with an initial burst of tangy sourness, followed by a growing sweetness, and finally, a hint of heat with a faint but distinctive aroma.

The demon god pondered for a moment—ah, it was fresh dill! The subtle fragrance added complexity to the otherwise simple side dish, making it all the more appetizing.

He lifted the bowl of wild vegetable porridge and took a sip. The round, plump grains of rice, mixed with finely chopped wild vegetables, were seasoned only with salt. The warmth of the porridge, combined with the distinct aroma of the vegetables, created a soft, thick texture that was so comforting, he felt like exhaling in contentment.

The demon god lowered his head, his hollow eye sockets staring at the porridge for a few moments before casually picking up a piece of pickled cucumber.

The freshly sliced cucumber had been soaked in a brine overnight, making it a perfect companion for the porridge.

It was crisp and refreshing, lacking the complexity of the garlic sprouts, but the fresh, sweet cucumber juice burst with flavor, making each bite even more satisfying.

As the side dishes were nearly finished and half the porridge remained, the god set down his chopsticks and picked up one of the pancakes.

The pancake was thin, and a gentle pinch made it collapse inward. When he took a bite, he was momentarily stunned by the stuffing—green onion and pork. The onion’s aroma blended perfectly with the rich meat, and paired with the porridge, it was more comforting than anything else.

The demon god quickly finished the first pancake and reached for the second.

This one was different. Its surface was slightly golden from roasting, and inside was a savory filling of braised pork and preserved mustard greens. The finely chopped mustard greens and fatty pork were wrapped in a thin layer of dough, then gently rolled flat and roasted until golden. The combination of the crispy exterior and the fragrant, tender filling was delightful.

Suddenly, with a loud “bang,” a puff of white smoke erupted from where the demon god was seated. Lu Yao peeked out from the kitchen, her eyes widening in surprise—was that the god?

The staff members who had been secretly watching from the corner were also shocked. The demon god had regained his flesh, or rather, he had reverted to his original form—a young man of about twenty-four or twenty-five, with his hair tied back in a pale cloth, his features noble and upright. Though his armor was tattered, it couldn’t hide the majestic aura emanating from him.

Lu Yao stepped out, carrying a freshly made dish and a bowl of white rice, her eyes filled with curiosity.

The demon god, now in his youthful form, looked up. “You have seen my memories.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Yes.”

On that ancient battlefield, she hadn’t just seen the memories of the staff and customers but also witnessed the life of a general.

In a world ravaged by war and famine, the boy lost all his family and joined the army to survive. He went to war at thirteen, became a general at twenty-three, and was buried on the battlefield at twenty-five.

He didn’t die at the hands of the enemy but was betrayed by spies sent by the imperial court. In an attempt to save hostages, he left the camp alone, only to be ambushed and shot through the heart with arrows.

The hostages were never real—just a ruse by the spies to lure him out of the camp. Those who wanted him dead weren’t his fellow soldiers but the emperor on the throne.

The old adage held true: “When the birds are gone, the bow is put away.”

Lu Yao hadn’t realized at first that the general was the demon god himself. After leaving the game, she had sorted through the jumble of information in her mind and pieced together this theory.

This meal, seemingly simple, was actually a reflection of the demon god’s life.

The demon god shook his head with a smile. “You made the wild vegetable porridge from my childhood, but it tastes nothing like it. You used too much rice, and it’s too thick. The vegetables aren’t bitter enough. It’s far tastier than my mother’s cooking. These side dishes and pancakes are far more delicious than anything I had in the military camps.”

Lu Yao cleared the empty bowls from the table and placed a dish of stuffed bitter melon and a bowl of rice in front of him. “If it’s so different, why did it remind you of those times?”

The demon god scowled. “Because you made me recall the past I’ve long forgotten, a thousand years of memories resurfaced. Thank you.”

Unfazed by his gloomy tone, Lu Yao casually lifted the lid of the small porcelain bowl. “Have some more. I’ll go make a dessert.”

The staff in the distance whispered to themselves: Our boss is so brave! That’s the demon god!

As Lu Yao lifted the lid, a fragrant, numbing aroma burst forth.

The demon god peered down. Beneath the red, spicy sauce was a bowl of tofu, sprinkled generously with fresh green scallions. The vibrant color and mouth-watering scent were far more tempting than the previous dishes—this was mapo tofu.

In front of him sat a bowl of pristine white rice. Without hesitation, the god spooned three large servings of the tofu onto the rice and began eating heartily.

The tofu was silken, even softer than the rice, cut into small cubes and coated with a rich, spicy sauce. Mixed with a generous amount of Sichuan pepper powder and chopped scallions, the flavors were like a battle in the mouth—salty, fresh, numbing, and spicy, each one vying for attention in a complex dance.

The sauce soaked into the rice, combining with the soft, smooth tofu, creating a satisfying and rich experience. The demon god slurped down half the bowl of rice before noticing the plate of stuffed bitter melon nearby. The melon had been sliced and hollowed out, filled with a minced meat mixture, and covered with a thin layer of starch sauce.

The god had never eaten this dish before, so he picked up a piece.

The bright green melon skin, coated in a light brown sauce, contained a soft, tender meat filling. The bitterness of the melon contrasted with the savory meat, creating a unique and refreshing taste.

The richness of the mapo tofu and rice was perfectly balanced by the bitter melon, cleansing the palate and providing a pleasant break from the spiciness.

After finishing the rice and dishes, the demon god slowly shifted his gaze to the largest porcelain bowl on the side.

What could this be?

He lifted the lid, releasing a cloud of steam—it was a bowl of soup.

A familiar scent hit him, reminiscent of traditional Chinese medicine.

As a general who spent years in battle and held high military positions, injuries were a regular occurrence. From arrow wounds to more serious ailments, he was often forced to drink bitter, foul-smelling medicinal soups.

Even after thousands of years, the demon god still hated that smell.

But this soup was clear, with a light layer of oil floating on top, and inside he could see medicinal herbs, chicken, mushrooms, and red dates. It didn’t look so bad.

Though his brows furrowed in disdain, a part of him was curious.

He scooped up a small amount and took a sip. His furrowed brows relaxed.

The soup smelled bitter but tasted light and mild, with the savory flavors of chicken and mushrooms quickly spreading in his mouth, followed by a hint of sweetness.

The subtle blend of bitterness and sweetness was unexpectedly addictive, and before he realized it, the demon god had finished the entire bowl.

He set the bowl down and glanced out the window, feeling slightly embarrassed.

He had eaten everything—cleaned the plates, in fact.

As if knowing he’d be finished, Lu Yao appeared just in time, carrying a small bowl and placing it in front of the demon god. “The final dessert.”

Without turning around, the demon god stiffened and said in an awkward voice, “If you insist on me eating more, then I’ll have a little.”

Now that the demon god had regained his youthful form, his voice had softened, losing its commanding tone and sounding a bit shy.

“Please, take your time.”

Lu Yao returned to the kitchen, where the staff were eyeing the pot of tangyuan with barely restrained hunger.

The round, soft tangyuan floated in a thick, dark brown sugar syrup, their sweet fragrance filling the entire kitchen.

Even though the ingredients were the same as the wine-soaked glutinous rice balls, the scent of this brown sugar tangyuan was especially rich and enticing.

Lu Yao smiled and said, “Help yourselves first, and we’ll have a barbecue together later.”

The staff each scooped half a bowl, sitting in a row with their spoons, blowing on the steaming tangyuan before taking a bite.

The glutinous rice balls, boiled in the sweet syrup, were plump and round like little buns. Though they looked soft, they were pleasantly chewy and sticky, filled with a rich, caramel-like sweetness that clung to their teeth with each bite. It was the kind of treat that was hard to stop eating, even though it could become cloying if consumed in excess.

Bai Ming, who had been feeling down due to the possession incident, found his spirits lifted after eating half a bowl of tangyuan. His dark eyes regained their usual brightness.

When Lu Yao was younger, she loved this type of tangyuan, made with a syrup boiled from sweet potatoes that was thick and sweet. She could eat a full bowl in one sitting. Now that she was older, her taste for sweets had waned, so she ate less. To let the demon god of the underworld taste this traditional flavor, she had scoured several markets and waited two days before finding a small jar of the special syrup from an old vegetable vendor.

By the time Lu Yao went to collect the bowls, the demon god had already finished everything, even scraping the syrup from the bottom of the bowl. He sat back, propping his elbow on the table, pretending to admire the night view as if nothing had happened.

The staff started preparing for the barbecue feast, pushing a few tables together and laying out grills and ingredients. At first, everyone was a bit reserved with the demon god present, but once they got into the groove and opened up some wine, the mood lightened. By midnight, most of them were passed out on the tables, completely drunk.

The demon god had stopped eating after a few rounds and sat by the window, silently watching the night scene, seemingly unable to get enough of it.

Lu Yao brewed a pot of hot tea and brought out a plate of jujube cakes, sitting across from the demon god.

The demon god turned to her and poured himself a cup of tea. The rising aroma of the tea cut through the warmth of the room’s lively atmosphere. “I know what you seek. You are bound by heavy karma, and the road ahead will be long and difficult. Very well, let it be as you wish.”

The demon god pulled out a white bone from his cloak and handed it to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao blinked in surprise. Was this a human bone? It wasn’t what she had expected at all.

She wasn’t sure what exactly she was supposed to receive from the demon god to move on to the next world, so she hesitated. The demon god, however, didn’t mind and placed the bone in front of her.

He then pulled off a piece of bone from his own left pinky finger and stared straight at Lu Yao. “This is a part of my bone. It will allow you to control time at will. If you wish to take it, promise me one thing.”

“A request?” Lu Yao was puzzled. What could a demon god possibly need from a mere mortal?

“Speak,” she said.

The god replied, “This bone is your token. If one day you wish to close this shop, bring it to me.”

Lu Yao’s eyes widened. Was this the demon god’s way of acknowledging her presence in this world?

【You have received “the demon god’s recognition.” Your snack shop has been upgraded to a seven-star establishment. You may now appoint a deputy manager.】

【“Feast for the Demon God” task completed. Congratulations, shopkeeper, on gaining the recognition of the underworld’s god. You are now eligible to move on to the next world!】

Lu Yao felt her pocket grow warm and pulled out a slip of paper.

It was a small white note, two fingers wide, with the words “The Five Flavors of Life” written on it. This had been the clue she received before entering this world, which led her to open the snack shop in the first place. It turned out to be a good choice, though it had been a bit expensive.

As the paper continued to heat up, Lu Yao rubbed it between her fingers, causing a corner to peel up. A new slip of paper fell onto the table.

This time, it wasn’t words but a small drawing: a sharp, scaly claw clutching a pile of treasure.

Lu Yao glanced at it before tucking it away and accepting the demon god’s pinky bone. Calmly, she agreed, “Alright, I promise.”

The demon god pushed the original bone toward her again, as if worried she might forget. “Take this one as well.”

Lu Yao: “…Can I ask why you’re giving me this bone?”

The demon god seemed to find the question odd: “Isn’t this the reason you came here? Take it; I don’t want to deal with such troublesome things.”

He was insistent, so Lu Yao had no choice but to store the bone in her warehouse. When she looked up again, the demon god was already gone.

…

The tasks for the snack shop were now fully completed, but Lu Yao didn’t immediately move on to the next world. She decided to take some time to wrap up any remaining issues with the shop.

The next day, when she woke up, a row of stars had appeared under the sign outside the shop.

Lu Yao counted them—exactly seven.

She pulled up the system. “Why are there suddenly stars? Does it have something to do with the shop’s rating?”

System: [The shop has been upgraded to a seven-star establishment after receiving recognition from the local deity. The stars on the sign are a mark of honor for the shopkeeper. Additionally, ten stars is the highest rating, and reaching that will come with special rewards!]

Lu Yao wasn’t too interested: “…Oh.”

Seven stars were more than enough for her. Ten stars could happen whenever.

Around noon, Lu Yao took a break to interview new staff. Unexpectedly, several notable candidates showed up—Aka, a former guard from the Cake Shop in District C, Du Chen, the ex-guard of Qingshan Paradise, and his younger brother Du An, along with a few regular people.

After brief interviews, Lu Yao decided to hire Aka. He had strong abilities, an easy-going personality, and surprisingly got along well with Qi Shen, so she didn’t hesitate to bring him on board.

The rest of the candidates didn’t quite fit, so Lu Yao had the system put up the hiring ad again.

The next day at noon, a group of company employees came in for a team meal. Yu Cai and Mo Cheng led nearly twenty people to the snack shop after waiting in line for an entire day and night, finally making it into the legendary eatery.

Since they had such a large group, Lu Yao arranged for them to be seated on the third floor. Although the third floor hadn’t officially opened yet, it had the same layout as the other floors, with spacious seating perfect for a lively gathering without disturbing other customers.

In just a few days, the snack shop had introduced several new dishes—tomato and egg noodles, matcha mille crepe, and rock sugar silver ear soup.

Among the group, a chubby middle-aged man ordered the tomato and egg noodles. Lu Yao had personally cooked the noodles and prepared the sauce.

After taking one bite, the man burst into tears, crying out, “These noodles taste exactly like my mother’s. I had a fight with her that morning and only ate half the bowl out of spite, and then I died the next day. For countless nights here, I’ve longed for this taste. I miss her so much—Mom, I’m sorry!”

As he spoke, his whole body became enveloped in a warm glow, shocking everyone around him.

The head guard rushed to the scene. Lu Yao, the staff, and some other customers were held back at the stairs, watching as the man’s glow intensified, enveloping him completely until he transformed into a fuzzy golden orb, like a dandelion, floating into the sky and disappearing.

Someone in the crowd murmured, “Is that… a soul returning?”

“My gosh! Can we still return to our souls?”

“Did he return to his soul after eating the snack shop’s food?”

Lu Yao was stunned. Did that person… die?

The head guard turned to her. “Did you cook those noodles?”

Lu Yao nodded, still in shock.

The head guard ordered the other guards to clear the customers and then spoke to Lu Yao privately: “That person just returned to their soul. Most souls that die from accidents, suicide, or natural disasters and don’t die peacefully carry strong attachments. These souls are drawn to this world because of their unresolved feelings. Without a proper gate to the afterlife, they cannot find their way and eventually fade into nothingness. Perhaps eating your food eased his attachments, allowing him to find his way home.”

Lu Yao: “…I don’t quite understand.”

The head guard, not great at explanations and feeling awkward, stiffly replied, “Peace of mind is a soul’s resting place. In short, it’s a good thing. The god likely foresaw this and prepared these ingredients for you. From now on, you’ll receive three special ingredients each month as a supplement.”

Lu Yao now held three black rings in her hand: “…”

What was this “ingredient subsidy”? Was this some subtle hint from the system that she should sell these rings?

System: [The customer who just returned to his soul transferred all his remaining time to you, totaling 859 years.]

Lu Yao: “…”

She was numb to it all by now.

The head guard and his team left, but Yu Cai and Mo Cheng quietly approached Lu Yao. “Boss, we just saw your job posting outside. Do you think we’d be a good fit?”

Lu Yao felt a bit guilty when she saw them: “That person earlier, he…”

Yu Cai excitedly interrupted, “Boss, you’re amazing! You actually helped someone return to their soul. To be honest, I also want to find my own way back, which is why I want to work here. I can do anything—really!”

There was a clear implication in her words.

Lu Yao gave them both a simple test, and they were indeed more capable than the previous interviewees. Mo Cheng, though quiet, turned out to be a surprisingly skilled cook, rivaling Quan Shengju. Yu Cai was experienced at customer service and efficient in helping out in the kitchen.

Since Lu Yao wanted to get everything settled quickly, she decided to hire them both.

Yu Cai and Mo Cheng’s company then declared bankruptcy, and the snack shop officially had eight employees.

Meanwhile, the news that the snack shop’s food could help customers return to their souls had spread. Many witnesses saw the event, and it couldn’t be kept quiet. More and more people wanted to dine at the shop, and fights even started breaking out outside, forcing the head guard to bring in NPCs from the amusement park to maintain order.

The next day, Lu Yao informed the staff that she planned to promote a deputy manager. The news caused a stir, and the employees immediately grew competitive.

Lu Yao didn’t understand why they were so eager.

System: [The deputy manager will have a soul-binding with the shopkeeper and can exercise the shopkeeper’s authority within the shop, which means they’ll be able to cross through that special door.]

Lu Yao: “…”

She hadn’t considered that, but it seemed her staff had caught on quickly.

The system grew impatient as Lu Yao delayed moving on to the next world. It couldn’t help but urge her: [You’ve already obtained the clue for the next shop, and things are wrapping up here. When do you plan to open your second store? Have any ideas for it?]

Lu Yao: “Once I pick the deputy manager, I’ll open it. I want it to be a low-cost shop.”

System: [I suggest opening a jewelry store. Based on the clues, jewelry will be a scarce commodity in the next world. You could bring the finest gems from this world and make a fortune!]

Lu Yao: “…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Thingyan: What a dumb system 🤦‍♀️